Wolvesey Castle

Wolvesey Castle.
Wolvesey Castle.
Ruins of Wolvesey Castle.

Wolvesey Castle, also known as the "Old Bishop's Palace",[1] is a ruined castle in Winchester, Hampshire, England. It is located next to Winchester Cathedral.[1]

Castle

The castle was erected by the Bishop of Winchester Henry of Blois, Stephen's brother, between 1130 and 1136 on an eyot between two branches of the River Itchen. It was the scene for the Rout of Winchester in which the Empress Matilda assaulted the castle in 1141, during a period known as The Anarchy. It was the castle's first and only siege, when it was held for Stephen by the retainers of Bishop Henry.

The besieged defenders of Wolvesey burnt with fireballs all the houses of the city which came too near the enceinte and gave cover to the enemy. Most of the old town of Winchester was destroyed. Empress Matilda's forces were held off for three weeks (August - September, 1141) until Stephen's wife, Matilda, arrived with reinforcements from London.[2]

Henry II is said to have dismantled Wolvesey after the death of Bishop Henry in 1171. Apparently this did not include the destruction of the residential quarters as many later occupants of the see of Winchester dwelled there in high state. But the gate and portcullis were likely removed and some breaches made in the curtain.[2]

It was once a very important building, and was the location on 25 July 1554 of the wedding breakfast of Queen Mary and Philip II of Spain.[1][3] The castle was destroyed by Roundheads during the English Civil War in 1646.[4]

The chapel is the only considerable remnant of the south range of the castle, and is still in use, being attached to the palace.

Palace

A palace was built on the same site by Christopher Wren for Bishop Morley in 1684.[5]

Current ownership

The extensive surviving ruins are currently owned and maintained by English Heritage.[1] The castle has had Grade I listed status since 24 March 1950,[4] as has the palace located on the same site.[5] A fair amount of the curtain wall remains, but nearly all the inner arrangements are gone, though it is possible to make out the hall, in which there are a good round arch and one surviving Norman window.[2]

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Wolvesey Castle.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Wolvesey Castle (Old Bishop's Palace)". English Heritage. Retrieved 2013-10-16.
  2. 1 2 3 Charles W.C. Oman, Castles: An illustrated guide to 80 castles of England and Wales, Beekman House, 1978 Printing, ISBN 0-517-26196-0
  3. ↑ Lorimer Poultney, ed. (2000). Three Palaces of the Bishops of Winchester. English Heritage.
  4. 1 2 Historic England. "Details from listed building database (1095511)". National Heritage List for England.
  5. 1 2 Historic England. "Details from listed building database (1095510)". National Heritage List for England.

Coordinates: 51°3′32.8″N 1°18′36.2″W / 51.059111°N 1.310056°W / 51.059111; -1.310056

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